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My candidates’ work is too large to send, can we send photographs instead?
The guidelines for the size and weight are published in the relevant syllabus but any fragile
or bulky work should not be sent. Good quality photographs that show the development of
ideas, the scale of the outcome and the work as it progresses can be submitted instead.
The syllabus says two sheets of paper no larger than A2 (for IGCSE and O Level) A1
(AS/A level), can this be double sided?
Different components have different requirements, please check the syllabus. Generally if
we ask for two sheets then it can be double-sided to make four sides.
Where can I find the dates for the examination? It isn’t in the syllabus; does that mean
it can be anytime?
Please refer to the examinations timetable and the Cambridge Administrative Guide for up to
date timetables and submission dates. These are available from the website www.cie.org.uk
or contact customer services info@cie.org.uk
My student wants to create some of their work on an iPad, is this allowed?
Yes as long as it is submitted on a format that is readable and a hard copy is supplied. As for
all digital submissions, please ensure that the candidates meet the assessment objectives,
and make it clear where work is their own original idea, and where software has been used
or secondary images have been modified.
Help! We sent our work to CIE on time and it has been returned to us by the courier.
What do we do?
Don’t worry! We would ask you to send the work again possibly using a different courier and
ensuring that the package is clearly labelled. We will do our best to get it marked as a matter
of urgency so that your results will be issued on time.
Is it possible to do IGCSE Paper 1 in June and Paper 2 in November?
No, the papers must be taken in the same series.
Can photography be used as a medium? If so, can multiple photographs be used or
does it have to be a single one?
Yes, photography is perfectly acceptable as a media for any of the IGCSE, O Level or AS/A
level components.
We have received a notification that one of our students work has been retained as a
‘standard’, what does this mean?
In accordance with the CIE Code of Practice we retain work for standards and/or training
purposes. We provide face-to-face training to teachers and we refer to live work as well as
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General
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Art and Design FAQ’s for Syllabuses 0400, 0415, 6090, 9183, 9704 for
examination in 2015 onwards
reproductions. We also standardise the marking at the start of each series by referring to the
‘standards’ from the previous series. This is to ensure parity of marking from series to series.
The work is automatically returned to Centres after the next series’ coordination meeting.
I am teacher in Spain, I would like to be an examiner for Cambridge, how do I apply?
Details of any vacancies are on our website (www.cie.org.uk) but as the marking takes place
in the UK we currently require UK based examiners.
What are ‘supporting studies’ or ‘preparatory work’?
Supporting studies or preparatory studies are the body of work that is produced by the
candidate in the time between receiving the question paper and taking the examination. The
supporting studies or preparatory work should show the development of ideas from an
observational starting point and evidence of their research and exploration with materials
and media.
What is the ‘examination’?
The examination or controlled test is a timed test. All candidates whether they are O level,
AS/A level or IGCSE will take at least one examination which is in response to a set of
questions set by CIE. These questions will be set by CIE. The length of the examination is
different depending on which level of qualification is being taken – please refer to the
appropriate syllabus for details.
Does CIE send us the coursework topics?
No, coursework topics are not sent by CIE. Teachers may want to look at past papers for
possible ideas for topics though. Past papers are available to download from the Teacher
Support site, http://teachers.cie.org.uk
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Question papers
I would like to see some past papers, where do I find them?
Past papers are available on our website and on our password protected Teacher Support
site. www.cie.org.uk and http://teachers.cie.org.uk
Where do I find the question paper?
The question papers are available to download from the Teacher Support Site (password
protected) http://teachers.cie.org.uk and from your CIE Direct inbox (if your Centre made a
provisional entry). For IGCSE 0400/1, 2 and AS/A level 9704/1 the question paper for the
November series is uploaded on 1 July and for the June series it is uploaded on 1 January.
In addition, all Centres are sent hard copies. Centres are reminded to submit provisional
entries and final entries on time.
When do we hand out the question paper?
From June 2015 the question papers for IGCSE 0400/1, 2 can be handed out as soon as
they are received.
For O Level 6090 candidates must have at least two weeks preparation time, but this can be
longer and you may hand out the question paper when you receive it, at the Art teachers’
discretion.
For AS/A level 9704/1 the question paper can be handed out, at the discretion of the Art
teacher, on receipt. All candidates must have at least three weeks’ preparation time.
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The examination
Does the examination have to be taken in one sitting?
IGCSE 0400/1, 2 are eight hours each. We would not recommend that candidates attempt to
take these examinations in one day. We would suggest that they are split over two or more
consecutive days and that the maximum duration of a session is no more than three hours
and 45 minutes. If you do schedule one exam on one day, then you must ensure that
candidates provided with supervised rest breaks. However, we would suggest that
scheduling these examinations on one day may potentially disadvantage candidates.
O Level 6090/1, 2, 3 are six hours each, there are regional differences in the way in which
these examinations are scheduled. Candidates taking one exam in a day must have
sufficient rest time and breaks as well as the correct examination time.
AS/A level 9704/1 is fifteen hours and Centres are expected to schedule this over two-three
consecutive days, where possible.
How can my students answer the question for ‘drawing from out of doors’ when they
are in their examination room?
Candidates have at least two weeks preparatory work for 6090 and they should use this time
to complete first-hand observational studies (drawings/photographs) from out of doors
examples that relate to the question they have chosen for their examination.
Can candidates bring their own objects into the examination room?
Yes, they can use the preparatory period to select relevant objects and make initial studies
and plans of compositions and layout in their supporting studies.
My student has made a dress for their examination, how can they send this to be
marked?
The guideline for size and weight of exam pieces is in the syllabus but fragile or bulky work
should not be sent. Good quality photographs that show the development of ideas, the scale
of the outcome and the work as it progresses can be sufficient as part of the submission.
Where possible the actual examination piece should be sent to Cambridge for assessment.
Can my candidates take a tracing of their final composition into the examination?
No, this should be completed as part of the examination. Candidates are allowed to take
their supporting study into the exam to work from. Tracings should be attached to the back of
the examination work when submitted.
Can candidates have mobile phones in the examination room?
No. As of 2014, no mobile phones/smart phones should be permitted in the examination –
please bear in mind that some of the printed guidelines and syllabuses were printed two
years ago and will state that it is at the Centre’s discretion. Centres will be updated on the
revised instructions. We appreciate that Centres have out of date information regarding this
point – from 2017 the advice will be consistent in all our printed material.
Can my students pre-prepare a background before the exam?
Yes, candidates can prepare a ground or a wash on their examination paper but tracings
and outlines should not be prepared before the examination.
What happens if the candidate has finished before the end of the examination?
If a candidate has finished before the full examination time, they may leave the examination
without disturbing the other candidates. However, they will not be allowed back in the
examination if they then decide to return later.
What happens with the work overnight?
Please ensure that the examination room is locked securely overnight. Candidates are not
permitted to take any supporting work home with them and must not bring more work
preparatory work in once the exam has started.
I have a candidate who wants to use animal fur/tobacco/glass/skin/sterilised blood, is
this permissible?
No. Please be advised that there are a number of inappropriate media and if you are in any
doubt you should contact customer services. Teachers should be aware that certain
materials create problems with Customs and Excise or are CITES (Convention on
International Trade of Endangered Species) listed.
Do candidates have to be accompanied to the toilet during the examination?
Art and Design examinations are no different to other examinations and standard invigilation
requirements still apply. Arrangements should be in place for supervised comfort breaks,
please refer to the Cambridge Handbook.
Can the head of Art and Design be the invigilator?
The teacher who has prepared the students should not be the sole invigilator. However, it is
advisable to have a technician or the teacher on hand to assist with any technical issues at
the start and during the examination.
My students are doing photography/digital media; can they use a laptop in their
examination?
IGCSE 0400/1, 2 and AS/A level 9704
If it is relevant and essential to the examination then yes, care should be taken to ensure
that all of the assessment objectives are met and where CAD software is used, this is
identified. All secondary sources should be credited and screen shots of the developing work
are useful as evidence in the supporting studies. A hard copy should be provided with any
digital submissions where applicable. The Centre must verify that the work produced during
the examination is the un-aided work of the candidate/s concerned.
The syllabus says trimming and mounting of work do not have to be part of the exam,
but that we have to send the work to Cambridge after the exam, when can my
students trim and mount their photographs?
We do not require work to be mounted and pieces should not be framed. Any trimming and
mounted (on paper not board) should be completed as soon as possible after the exam and
the work must be held securely after the exam (e.g. while it is drying) before being
despatched to Cambridge.
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Outline proposal forms IGCSE 0400/3, AS/A Level 9704/4
Do I need to submit one for coursework (0400/4 or 9704/2, 3)?
No, these are only required for IGCSE 0400/3 and 9704/4.
Where do I find?
You can download an interactive PDF version from CIE Direct. The form is also available
under the ‘Teaching Materials’ tab on the syllabus page of the Teacher Support Site
http://teachers.cie.org.uk
Do I have to submit one and by when?
No, but we would always recommend that you do. We suggest that the outline proposal
forms are submitted before students start work on their study see page two of the form, point
5. If you are entering for the June series the last date for submitting an OPF is 31 October
of the year before, if you are entering for the November series then the last date for
submitting the OPF is 30 April of the same year. At six weeks prior to the date when the
works itself should be submitted to CIE we will not provide comments on the suitability of the
proposal and will assume that the candidate is nearing completion of the study. How do I submit them?
Email them to CIEOPF@cie.org.uk
We haven’t sent in any OPF’s, is this a problem? When should these be submitted
by?
IGCSE 0400/3 and AS/A level 9704/4
Outline Proposal Forms should be sent to Cambridge before candidates commence work on
component 4, so that the moderators can give the candidate direct feedback. We suggest
that OPF’s are submitted by 30 April for the November examination series and 31 October
for the June examination series. If you have missed the deadline, please submit the OPF’s
as soon as possible, but please note that you may not receive feedback.
We have had the OPFs returned with no comment, why?
The deadline for receipt of the OPFs is 31 October for the June series and 30 April for the
November series. If we receive OPFs after these dates we will still process them - but you
may not receive any comments. All forms received within six weeks of the submission date
(30 April, 31 October) will not receive comments on the suitability of the study. That does not
mean that the candidates cannot proceed, it simply means that we will not provide
comments on the outline as we would expect that at that point in the course candidates have
completed or are nearing completion of the study (submission of OPF is not compulsory but
it is recommended).
Can we start work on the A level 9704/4 as soon as the coursework has been
completed?
Paper 4 is worth 20% of the course and you won’t have enough time, we would suggest that
you run this part of the course at the same time as the coursework, not only will it inform
candidates' coursework, but it may help achieve a greater understanding of the Assessment
Criteria.
Can students work on their studies if we have not heard back from the OPF
moderator?
IGCSE 0400/3 and AS/A level 9704/4
Yes, please don’t delay work on the studies whilst waiting to hear if they have been
approved or not.
I have a student who wants to do their Study on poverty (or tourism, dance, football,
liberation, pets), will this be approved?
No, personal studies are concerned with the student’s response to works or art/design by
established artists/designers. If a student wants to produce a study on how the theme of
poverty has been portrayed by various artists (named) with some of the examples having
been seen at first-hand (not on-line or in a book) then this is fine.
Is it okay if one of my students wants to study artists that are local to us? Do they
have to study the work of famous artists?
Students can choose any artist/designer/craftsperson to study. They should be able to see
some of the work itself and not just on-line or in a magazine or book. In some cases,
students opt to do a comparison – so they are able to view some work in-situ and then
compare it with the work of another more famous piece of work that they are not able to see
in person. It is not a good idea to choose to study the work of someone well known to the
student (such as a family member or tutor) as there is a chance that they will feel they can’t
be as honest in their critical analysis as they should.
Can the study (A level 9704/4, 0400/3) be A4 or A3 and should it be typed or
handwritten?
The study can take any appropriate format.
Can we submit a power-point presentation?
A power-point could be part of the presentation but whatever format is chosen; it should
reflect the breadth and depth of study required for the component, and meet all of the
assessment objectives.
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Coursework IGCSE 0400/4, AS/A Level 9704/2, 3
Do I have to be accredited to mark coursework?
At least one teacher involved in the internal moderation of coursework should have written
approval from Cambridge International Examinations. Please contact us via Customer
Services if you would like a copy of the Coursework Training Handbook. info@cie.org.uk
Do I need to submit an OPF for coursework (0400/4 or 9704/2, 3)?
No, these are only required for IGCSE 0400/3 and AS/A level 9704/4.
What is the process for selecting a sample of candidate’s work?
IGCSE 0400/4 and AS/A level 9704/2, 3
Use the coursework samples database to help you select the sample for moderation. The
number you need to submit depends on the type of component. The selection method and
deadlines are listed on the samples database: www.cie.org.uk/samples
Do I have to be accredited to mark Coursework? Where can I find more information
about how to mark coursework?
IGCSE 0400/4 and AS/A level 9704/2, 3
IGCSE 0400/4 is optional and this means that if you want to enter candidates for it you must
be accredited. There are two ways you can be accredited; by experience which requires you
to submit a copy of your CV with relevant teaching experience. However, if the applicant
does not have any school-based assessment experience (so having taught in the UK or IB
experience then it is likely that this will not be sufficient). The other method is by the
Coursework Training Handbook (CTH). Please contact us via Customer Services to be
considered for accreditation and for the CTH info@cie.org.uk
For AS/A level the coursework components are compulsory and teacher accreditation is not
required. Examples of candidate responses at a range of marks, is available on the Teacher
Support Site under the 9704 heading ‘Teaching Materials’, http://teachers.cie.org.uk
Where can I find examples of student work?
Example candidate responses are published on the teacher support site under the ‘Teaching
Materials’ tab.
Can I send candidates work on a memory stick?
Yes but please include hard copies as a back-up.
I have six candidates, shall I send a sample of their work, or work from all of them?
The coursework sample database will help you select which candidates work should be
submitted. Where you have a small group e.g. six; all of the candidates’ work should be sent
for moderation.
Do I need to put comments in the Individual record form, or just the marks?
No, you just need to input the marks, for each assessment objective.
The coursework deadline says 30 April, is it ok if we send the work on 27 April, it will
take a few days to get to the UK?
Yes, you have until 30 April to submit the sample and your marks. The same principle
applies to the October/November series where the submission date for coursework is 31
October.
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Submission of work
How do we send the work to Cambridge?
You will be sent large white plastic envelopes to despatch the work to Cambridge with preprinted labels. It should be sent by a track-able courier service and please remember to pack
components separately. The address is:
Cambridge International Examinations
Hill Farm Road
Whittlesford
Cambridge
CB22 4FZ, UK
Where can I get the labels from for the students work?
Labels will be sent to you but there is a blank sheet in the back of the syllabus or the Guide
to Administering Art and Design Exams, for you to photocopy as required.
Will CIE send the artwork back? If so, when?
All work submitted for AS/A level Art and Design will be returned automatically and free of
charge after the end of the Enquiries about Results period has ended. If your Centre has
submitted an appeal or an Enquiry about Result then the work will not be returned until the
appeals process has ended. All IGCSE 0400 Component 3 and 4 coursework will be
automatically returned free of charge as soon as the end of the Enquiries about Results
period has ended. IGCSE 0400 component 1 and 2 will only be returned if the appropriate
fee has been paid and only if the work is not subject to any Enquiries about Results. CIE
reserve the right to retain work for training and standardisation purposes in accordance with
the CIE Code of Practice.
We do not return O level work.
The submission date is during our vacation, and we cannot send the work, when
should we send it?
You should send the work as soon as it is completed, don’t wait until the submission date
before despatching the work. If the last day of term is the last day of the examination and
candidates need to trim and mount the work before it is sent, please send the work as soon
as possible after the examination.
The candidates are working in oils and the work will not be dry the next day, what
should we do?
Please try and schedule any work that needs time for drying or firing as early as possible in
the examination period. You must ensure that all work is thoroughly dried before it is
despatched.
I’m not happy with my student’s results, what should I do?
You can contact us via CIE to request an ‘Enquiry About Results’ service. There are several
options and a fee is payable. Please log in to CIE Direct to access the forms you need to use
this service.
How can I talk to other teachers using Cambridge syllabuses and share ideas?
The Forum is the pace to start and contribute to discussions with other teachers. It is a great
way to share ideas and inspiration and to gain support from other teaching colleagues in
Cambridge schools. You can access the forum through the Teacher Support site, under the
Community tab. http://teachers.cie.org.uk